Enhance the value of precious medicinal herbs

Growing medicinal plants under the forest canopy in Tuong Duong district, Nghe An. (Photo: HOAI THU) — Growing medicinal plants under the forest canopy in Tuong Duong district, Nghe An . (Photo: HOAI THU)

According to a study by the World Health Organization (WHO), currently nearly 50% of adults living in urban areas have high blood fat, mainly concentrated in the age group of 35-44. The main cause is due to unscientific diet and lifestyle, lack of exercise, consumption of fast food, red meat, animal organs and alcohol, beer... That has increased bad cholesterol (LDL) and triglycerides leading to high blood fat, causing blood vessel blockage and increasing the risk of stroke...

From the causes and harms mentioned above, it can be seen that the demand for health protection foods, especially products that prevent or support the treatment of lipid disorders, is very high. Grasping the demand, many pharmaceutical companies have produced products that reduce blood lipids, but most of them are still crude active ingredients that are difficult to absorb orally. Some imported products have good quality but high prices and unknown origins, causing confusion for consumers.

These factors have motivated Dr. Nguyen Thi Mai Huong and her colleagues at the Center for Applied Physics and Scientific Equipment, Institute of Physics (Academy) to research and implement the project "Commercial development of Nano dihydroquercetin (Taxifolin) extracted from red larch (Dahurian larch) to support blood lipid stabilization" (code: UDSPTM.04/22-23). To produce on the basis of applying liquid gel nanotechnology to the active ingredient Dihydroquercetin extracted from red larch, the research team had to go through many difficulties and hardships.

Through research, the biological active ingredient Dihydroquercetin extracted from red pine trees has the effect of slowing down the oxidation of cell membrane lipids, neutralizing the harmful effects of free radicals and controlling the inflammatory process, anti-edema. In addition, some studies have also shown the effects of Dihydroquercetin on diseases such as: Ischemia, fatty liver, reducing bad cholesterol, enhancing cerebral blood circulation...

However, this active ingredient is poorly soluble in water and difficult to absorb orally. To overcome this situation, scientists have successfully researched the nanotechnology process of Dihydroquercetin with a size smaller than 50nm. Thanks to that, the active ingredient can easily disperse completely in water, quickly absorbed into the body and maximize its effect in treating blood lipid diseases. Notably, the product is of natural origin, safe, effective and suitable for many users.

Before implementing the project, Dr. Nguyen Thi Mai Huong's group had conducted research and scientific cooperation as a premise such as: VAST-level research topic (Academy) chaired by the unit "Research on physical properties of nanostructured complexes of dihydroquercetin and melanin extracted from nature, with biological activity against oxidation and inhibiting cancer cells", code: KHCBVL.03/20-21. Scientific research cooperation between the Center for Applied Physics and Scientific Equipment with the Belarusian Academy of Sciences and the Institute of Biology - Russian Academy of Sciences on biologically active compounds of natural origin as well as the application of Dihydroquercetin preparations extracted from red pine...

In addition, the group also consulted publications in prestigious journals around the world as well as WTO certification of the product Dihydroquercetin with the right to circulate throughout Europe as a health-supporting food...

Dr. Nguyen Thi Mai Huong said: The active ingredient Dihydroquercetin, before being nano-sized, is already a precious medicinal herb with many uses, especially its ability to support blood lipid stabilization and extremely high antioxidant capacity. A study from the Brunswick Laboratory (USA) showed that Dihydroquercetin (essence with a purity of over 97%) has an ORAC antioxidant index of 104,126µmol TE/g (Trolox equivalents per gram), 55 times higher than vitamin C and far surpassing vitamin E. This is one of the few natural active ingredients capable of neutralizing almost all free radicals in the body.

However, through research, the active ingredient when nano-ized also has the ability to support blood lipid stabilization as well as significantly increased anti-oxidation compared to non-nano products.

The members of the project acceptance council all agreed that the successful research of the product Nano Dihydroquercetin not only has scientific significance but also has high value in practical application, with potential for development and commercialization. The product has initially been well received by the market and the commercial results meet the requirements of the Academy. However, it is necessary to fully and in detail calculate the cost of creating the product and the price as a basis for evaluating the competitive advantage and developing a plan for commercializing the product. The Academy-level project acceptance council has evaluated the project as excellent.

The success of the research team is not only the product is granted a patent for a useful solution and successfully built the technological process to manufacture Nano Dihydroquercetin in gel form, but also has great significance in terms of scientific research and practical application. This is also the fulcrum to open up a new research direction in the production of products with therapeutic effects by combining nanotechnology with active ingredients extracted from natural medicinal herbs in the country at a reasonable price.

NHAT MINH

Source: https://nhandan.vn/nang-cao-gia-tri-cac-duoc-lieu-quy-post906808.html